Project Overview: Arc'teryx Vertex Speed – Creator-Led Sunrise Scramble

Arc'teryx sent me and a friend an early pair of their new Vertex Speed Shoes with one goal: get outside, put them to the test, and help spread the word through authentic, real-world storytelling. To showcase what the shoe is built for — fast, technical mountain movement — we planned a sunrise scramble on exposed slabs in the Canadian Rockies.

This terrain was the perfect testing ground to highlight the Vertex Speed’s lightweight build, precision fit, and confidence-inspiring grip. With no production crew and just the gear on our backs, I handled all photography while moving through the terrain alongside my subject.

My experience in alpine and scrambling environments allowed me to shoot safely and efficiently in dynamic conditions. Throughout the shoot, I focused on creating imagery that reflected both the functionality and design of the shoe — from close-up details of the aggressive outsole and sculpted upper, to wide-angle shots that place the shoe in its intended alpine context. The goal was to visually communicate how the Vertex Speed performs underfoot and how it integrates into fast-and-light mountain missions.

The resulting images were shared organically on my platform, aimed at giving my community a first-hand look at the Vertex Speed in its element — used by real people, in real terrain, for the purpose it was built for.